Alopecia Treatments in Breastfeeding: Safety and Clinical Considerations

    July 2025 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”
    Carli D. Needle, Anna Brinks, Caitlin A Kearney, Grace Rachko, Amy Kalowitz Bieber, Jerry Shapiro, Margaret Nachtigall, Kristen I. Lo Sicco, Daniela Majerson
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    TLDR Safe alopecia treatments for breastfeeding women are limited due to potential risks to infants.
    The review article discusses the challenges and considerations in treating alopecia areata (AA), androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and primary cicatricial alopecias in breastfeeding women. It highlights the limited treatment options available due to concerns about medication transfer into breast milk and potential adverse effects on infants. The article emphasizes the psychological distress and negative impacts on quality of life associated with alopecia, which can be intensified by the changes experienced during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The review aims to guide clinicians in selecting safe and effective hair loss treatments for lactating women, providing detailed information on medication transfer, infant blood serum levels, potential neonatal adverse effects, and specific clinical considerations for each treatment.
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